Russian Football Hooligans Barred From Traveling Abroad

Russia on Saturday signed a Council of Europe convention which will restrict violent football fans from leaving the country, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

The convention, already signed by 14 countries, states that those who commit crimes or violate public order during football matches will be restricted from traveling abroad.

A number of Russian football fans, including those arrested last month in France and Germany over provoking brawls during the 2016 European Championship, will be subject to the restriction and will be barred from visiting foreign stadiums under the new laws, according to the document.

Convention signatories will exchange information such as the personal data of fans and have also agreed on police cooperation to ensure safety at international football games.

Ten more countries, including Britain and Germany, are currently considering signing the convention, the Kommersant newspaper reported.

Last month, the Russian State Duma approved the creation of a blacklist of Russia’s most dangerous fans who would no longer be allowed to attend mass sporting events.